A phenology is the study of changes in plants and animals as they respond to weather, climate, and the seasons. It is nature's calendar.
"What Is Phenology?
Butterfly
Phenology is derived from the Greek word phaino , meaning to show or appear. Phenology refers to recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, such as leafing and flowering, maturation of agricultural plants, emergence of insects, and migration of birds. It is also the study of these recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, especially their timing and relationships with weather and climate.
Why Is It Important?
Phenology, put another way, is simply nature’s calendar—when the cherry trees bloom, the robin builds its nest, and the leaves turn color in the fall. This schedule is critical for plants and animals, and people too. When a caterpillar emerges, it needs developing leaves to eat. When a chick hatches, it needs caterpillars and other food to eat. For many people, allergy season starts when particular flowers bloom—earlier flowering means earlier allergies. Farmers and gardeners need to know when to plant to avoid frosts, and they need to know the schedule of plant and insect development to decide when to apply fertilizers and pesticides. In fact, phenology affects nearly all aspects of the environment, including the abundance and diversity of organisms, their interactions with one another, their functions in food webs, and their seasonal behavior, and global-scale cycles of water, carbon, and other chemical elements." From USA-NPN
Hear about phenology from Wisconsin in which Nina Leopold Bradley talks about her father Aldo Leopold and the importance of keeping records about nature.
What is the climate like in your area? Which USDA Hardiness Zone is your school in? Click on this map to find out!
Find out the hardiness/growing zone for your area. Click on the map to find out how!
A phenology is the study of changes in plants and animals as they respond to weather, climate, and the seasons. It is nature's calendar.
"What Is Phenology?
Why Is It Important?
Phenology, put another way, is simply nature’s calendar—when the cherry trees bloom, the robin builds its nest, and the leaves turn color in the fall. This schedule is critical for plants and animals, and people too. When a caterpillar emerges, it needs developing leaves to eat. When a chick hatches, it needs caterpillars and other food to eat. For many people, allergy season starts when particular flowers bloom—earlier flowering means earlier allergies. Farmers and gardeners need to know when to plant to avoid frosts, and they need to know the schedule of plant and insect development to decide when to apply fertilizers and pesticides. In fact, phenology affects nearly all aspects of the environment, including the abundance and diversity of organisms, their interactions with one another, their functions in food webs, and their seasonal behavior, and global-scale cycles of water, carbon, and other chemical elements." From USA-NPNCheck out the following for more information:
The National Phenology Network (For Educators), Project BudBurst, Remote Sensing Phenology,WikipediaHear about phenology from Wisconsin in which Nina Leopold Bradley talks about her father Aldo Leopold and the importance of keeping records about nature.
What is the climate like in your area? Which USDA Hardiness Zone is your school in? Click on this map to find out!